Northern Ireland Bill (Allocation of Time)

If I may say so, the Secretary of State is replying to the debate on the amendments in exemplary fashion. He is, very properly, taking his time to do so, but does not this illustrate the nonsense of today’s timetable? Here we are, considering the first group of amendments. He is behaving as a Secretary of State should—seeking to respond, to persuade, to explain, and to deal adequately and properly with amendments. He has been on his feet since 5.48 pm. No criticism could possibly be directed at him, yet in less than an hour, all debate on the Bill in the House will have finished. It really is not good enough.